Security: Nigerian Army, FCTA call for extra vigilance

Security concerns, especially during the yuletide, yesterday came to the front burner as the Nigerian Army warned citizens to be extra vigilant within their environment during the period. This is coming even as residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, have been warned of possible attacks by terrorists in the city.
The Nigerian Army’s call on the citizens to be extra-vigilant and security-conscious as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the country was made by Col. Sani Usman, Director, Army Public Relations while delivering a lecture at an inaugural Annual Lecture of Class 1992 Alumni of Mass Communication Department, Bayero University Kano.
According to him, citizens should not only rely on security agencies for protection but should be security-conscious and provide useful information to relevant security agencies in the country.
“With the kind of intelligence we receive regularly from the military and security operatives, the citizens need to be proactive and security-conscious while the media intensify campaign on same.
“Internal security challenge is not a problem unique to Nigeria. The U.S., UK, France and many other countries face similar challenges within their borders on daily basis.”
Sani Usman further said the difference between those countries and Nigeria is the management of threats by the government and the citizenry, how knowledgeable they are, how patriotic and united their citizens are against threats of insecurity and crisis.
“The countries are never divided on any ground when the interest of the nation is the subject. This cushions the effects of those crises on their national security and image.
“The media need to mobilise people during crisis as a cardinal element of national security effort,’’ he said.
He urged media practitioners to enlighten the public on the true situation in national effort to guarantee national security.
Meanwhile, in a well circulated notice, FCTA has warned residents of imminent attacks from members of the deadly Islamic sect, Boko Haram using young girls as members of aid group to carry out attacks in places of worship and markets.
The memo signed by the Director, Security Services, FCTA, Mohammed M. Mohammed to the Presidents of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ja’matu Nasrul Islam and the General Manager, Abuja Metropolitan Management Limited, AMML, said “Intelligence reaching this office revealed that insurgents are planning to attack the Federal Capital Territory. Their main targets are worship Centres and Markets with the use of young girls as members of aid groups to carry out their planned attacks.”
The statement added that, “It is in our view of the foregoing that I am directed to inform you to communicate the content of this letter to all Mosques, Churches and markets across the FCT for extra vigilance, particularly about unknown persons dressing as aid workers loitering around the worship areas and markets.”